New Washington
Lagatic
Municipality
Municipality of New Washington
Flag of New Washington
Flag
Official seal of New Washington
Seal
Map of Aklan with New Washington highlighted
Map of Aklan with New Washington highlighted
OpenStreetMap
New Washington is located in Philippines
New Washington
New Washington
Location within the Philippines
Coordinates: 11°38′54″N 122°26′02″E / 11.6483°N 122.4339°E / 11.6483; 122.4339
CountryPhilippines
RegionWestern Visayas
ProvinceAklan
District 1st district
FoundedJanuary 15, 1904
Named forGeorge Washington
Barangays16 (see Barangays)
Government
 [1]
 • TypeSangguniang Bayan
 • MayorJessica Regenio-Panambo
 • Vice MayorJesus "Molot" B. Quimpo
 • RepresentativeCarlito S. Marquez
 • Municipal Council
Members
 • Electorate33,238 voters (2022)
Area
[2]
 • Total66.69 km2 (25.75 sq mi)
Elevation
13 m (43 ft)
Highest elevation
329 m (1,079 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2020 census)[3]
 • Total47,955
 • Density720/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
 • Households
11,933
Economy
 • Income class3rd municipal income class
 • Poverty incidence
11.35
% (2018)[4]
 • Revenue₱ 151.5 million (2020)
 • Assets₱ 411.4 million (2020)
 • Expenditure₱ 128.3 million (2020)
 • Liabilities₱ 78.07 million (2020)
Service provider
 • ElectricityAklan Electric Cooperative (AKELCO)
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code
5610
PSGC
060415000
IDD : area code +63 (0)36
Native languagesAklanon
Hiligaynon
Capiznon
Tagalog

New Washington, officially the Municipality of New Washington (Aklanon: Banwa it New Washington; Hiligaynon: Banwa sang New Washington; Tagalog: Bayan ng New Washington), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 47,955 people.[3]

New Washington is particularly known for being the home town of Cardinal Jaime Sin, former Archbishop of Manila.

Etymology

Established on January 15, 1904, the municipality was named after the first president of the United States, George Washington, as a tribute to the Thomasites, a group of American teachers who in the early 1900s established a new public education system in the Philippines, taught basic education, and trained Filipino teachers with English as medium of instruction. The municipality was formerly called Fonda Lagatic, which was derived from Lagatik River that stretches along some of the municipality's barangays at a length of 9.6 kilometers (6.0 mi).

Geography

New Washington is located at 11°38′54″N 122°26′02″E / 11.6483°N 122.4339°E / 11.6483; 122.4339.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of 66.69 square kilometers (25.75 sq mi) [5] constituting 3.66% of the 1,821.42-square-kilometer- (703.25 sq mi) total area of Aklan.

New Washington is bounded by Batan in the east, Kalibo in the west and the Sibuyan Sea on the north. It is 7 kilometers (4.3 mi) from Kalibo International Airport, 9 kilometers (5.6 mi) from the province's capital town of Kalibo, and one and a half (11⁄2) hours away from Boracay Island.

Climate

Climate data for New Washington, Aklan
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 28
(82)		 29
(84)		 30
(86)		 32
(90)		 32
(90)		 31
(88)		 30
(86)		 30
(86)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 29
(84)		 28
(82)		 30
(86)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23
(73)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 24
(75)		 24
(75)		 23
(73)		 24
(75)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 47
(1.9)		 33
(1.3)		 39
(1.5)		 48
(1.9)		 98
(3.9)		 150
(5.9)		 169
(6.7)		 147
(5.8)		 163
(6.4)		 172
(6.8)		 118
(4.6)		 80
(3.1)		 1,264
(49.8)
Average rainy days 11.4 8.2 9.3 9.7 19.1 25.6 27.4 25.5 25.5 25.2 18.5 14.5 219.9
Source: Meteoblue[6]

The third type of climate predominates in the locality, season not pronounced. It is relatively dry from February to July and wet the rest of the year.

Of note, to deal with water supply along the long peninsula affected by salt water intrusion and related endemic amoebiasis, New Washington was the site of a unique U.S. Peace Corps-sponsored program to build over 200 low-cost circular water wells using locally produced "curved hollow blocks" made locally using custom wooden forms inspired by a local medical doctor and charismatic social activist Andronico "Andrew" Mendoza. Dr. Mendoza organized families to transport individual pre-cast custom hollow blocks to remote areas; the unique design of the locally designed wells obviated the need for expensive and unwieldy steel bar reinforcement. During the early 1980s, each of the 212 water well was dug and constructed throughout this municipality with voluntary community effort ("bayanihan") and are still in use today and exemplifies the spirit of New Washington.

Barangays

New Washington is politically subdivided into 16 barangays.[7] Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

PSGC Barangay Population ±% p.a.
2020[3] 2010[8]
060415001 Candelaria 3.6% 1,708 1,626 ▴ 0.49%
060415002 Cawayan 8.7% 4,168 3,784 ▴ 0.97%
060415003 Dumaguit 4.5% 2,139 1,996 ▴ 0.69%
060415004 Fatima 2.5% 1,219 1,182 ▴ 0.31%
060415005 Guinbaliwan 6.3% 3,031 2,813 ▴ 0.75%
060415006 Jalas 3.2% 1,518 1,648 ▾ −0.82%
060415007 Jugas 5.4% 2,577 2,427 ▴ 0.60%
060415008 Lawa-an 2.8% 1,361 1,414 ▾ −0.38%
060415009 Mabilo 7.4% 3,552 3,035 ▴ 1.59%
060415010 Mataphao 3.8% 1,842 1,554 ▴ 1.71%
060415011 Ochando 7.0% 3,369 3,028 ▴ 1.07%
060415012 Pinamuk-an 6.2% 2,951 2,692 ▴ 0.92%
060415013 Poblacion 12.5% 5,974 6,036 ▾ −0.10%
060415014 Polo 7.3% 3,514 3,476 ▴ 0.11%
060415015 Puis 5.6% 2,675 2,360 ▴ 1.26%
060415017 Tambak 7.1% 3,409 3,041 ▴ 1.15%
Total 47,955 42,112 ▴ 1.31%

To some locals, the barangays are grouped into two, namely "Eanas" and "Baybay". The barangays that belong to Eanas are those involved in rice farming such as Mabilo, Puis, Jalas, Guinbaliwan, Mataphao, Candelaria, Lawa-an and Jugas. Baybay, on the other hand, covers barangays along or near the coastline, consisting of Tambac, Poblacion, Pinamuk-an, Polo, Cawayan, Ochando, Fatima and Dumaguit.

Common among municipalities in the Philippines, the seat of local government and the center of business are situated in Poblacion. It is also home to the Municipal Auditorium and Sports Complex, where major events of the town are held.

Demographics

Population census of New Washington
YearPop.±% p.a.
1918 24,453—    
1939 12,192−3.26%
1948 13,370+1.03%
1960 15,966+1.49%
1970 19,131+1.82%
1975 22,131+2.96%
1980 26,119+3.37%
1990 30,147+1.44%
1995 31,896+1.06%
2000 33,981+1.37%
2007 39,656+2.15%
2010 42,112+2.21%
2015 45,007+1.27%
2020 47,955+1.26%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[9][8][10][11]

In the 2020 census, New Washington had a population of 47,955.[3] The population density was 720 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,900/sq mi).

In the 2007 census, there were 39,656 residents, an increase by 16.7% since the year 2000 when the official count was 33,981. In the 2010 census, the population had increased to 42,112 persons.

Majority of the New Washingtonians, as the municipality's residents are sometimes called, are of Aklanon origin. Immigration, generally, is due to marriage and employment.

New Washingtonians speak in Aklanon, Hiligaynon, Filipino and English, the former being their primary medium. Aklanon, as a language, is often described as a cross between Bisaya, Hiligaynon and Karay-a making it quite complicated for local and foreign tourists to speak and comprehend. This is not seen as a problem, considering that residents can speak fluent Hiligaynon, Tagalog, and English.

The people of New Washington are predominantly Christians. Religious denominations in the municipality include Roman Catholic Church, Philippine Independent Church, Baptist churches, Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Jehovah's Witnesses and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, among others.

Economy

Poverty Incidence of New Washington
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[12][13]
[14][15][16][17][18]

As New Washington is surrounded by bodies of water such as Sibuyan Sea and Lagatik River. Fishing has been the leading livelihood among the people, alongside rice farming. The town has the largest area of ricefields among the municipalities in Aklan.

The municipality operates two ports: one in Dumaguit and the other in Poblacion. The port in Dumaguit caters to passenger and commercial boats, while the port in Poblacion is only for the latter. Both ports serve as major trade routes between the province of Aklan and Manila.

The town has several edifices that have historical or spiritual significance and locations for leisure and relaxation. These include the NHI-recognized commemorative monument of its native son His Eminence Jaime Cardinal Lachica Sin and the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in Poblacion, the Pink Sisters' Immaculata Adoration Convent in Polo, the Sunrise/Sunset Viewing at Tambak Seawall and the Sampaguita Gardens Resort in Poblacion.

Education

All the barangays have either an elementary or primary school. There are four secondary schools: New Washington National Comprehensive High School and Montfort Technical Institute (MTI) in Poblacion, Candelaria National High School in Candelaria and Ochando National High School in Ochando. Montessori de Aklan (MDA),a primary school,is a branch of Montessori de Zamboanga Schools which is an affiliate of AMS or American Montessori Society in Polo, Tertiary education is centered at Aklan State University - College of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, which is located in Poblacion. Vocational courses are also offered at MTI. Some families send their children to schools in Kalibo, Capiz, Iloilo and Manila, among others.

Cultural and historical significance

Pink Sisters' Convent

New Washington observes two annual fiestas as a town. One is a patronal fiesta in honor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, which is held on the second Saturday of October and the other is a civic fiesta commemorating the heroes of Pacto de Sangre, which is held from March 1 to 3. The Pacto de Sangre, or blood compact, took place in the then Sitio Kuntang (now Barangay Ochando) on March 3, 1897. It was participated in by New Washingtonians of the past as a show of support to the Filipinos' revolution against the Spaniards. A commemorative marker was put up in the area where the event took place in Barangay Ochando. While the patronal fiesta is characterized by pious reflection, the civic fiesta involves three days of merry-making.

Tourism

The municipality has numerous beach resorts located near the shores from Mabilo to Dumaguit. The past decade saw an influx of inland resorts. The inland resorts in the town are mostly in Poblacion, some of which include Sampaguita Gardens Resort, Maria Mercedes Resort and Frogs Hollow Resort. For free means of leisure and entertainment, residents go to the town plaza, which houses the Jaime Cardinal L. Sin Park, the Rizal Park, the Municipal Children's Park and the Municipal Auditorium and Sports Complex.

Well-known restaurants in the town include Oriental Flavors (fine-dining) and Poolside Restaurant at Sampaguita Gardens, and the Residence River Restaurant (Seafoods) in Tambak.

References

  1. ↑  Municipality of New Washington | (DILG)
  2. ↑ "2015 Census of Population, Report No. 3 – Population, Land Area, and Population Density" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. Quezon City, Philippines. August 2016. ISSN 0117-1453. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Census of Population (2020). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Province: Aklan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
  6. ↑ "New Washington: Average Temperatures and Rainfall". Meteoblue. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "Municipal: New Washington, Aklan". PSGC Interactive. Quezon City, Philippines: Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  8. 1 2 Census of Population and Housing (2010). "Region VI (Western Visayas)" (PDF). Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. National Statistics Office. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  9. ↑ Census of Population (2015). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
  10. ↑ Censuses of Population (1903–2007). "Region VI (Western Visayas)". Table 1. Population Enumerated in Various Censuses by Province/Highly Urbanized City: 1903 to 2007. National Statistics Office.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ "Province of Aklan". Municipality Population Data. Local Water Utilities Administration Research Division. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
  12. ↑ "Poverty incidence (PI):". Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Estimation of Local Poverty in the Philippines" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 29 November 2005.
  14. ↑ "2003 City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 23 March 2009.
  15. ↑ "City and Municipal Level Poverty Estimates; 2006 and 2009" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 3 August 2012.
  16. ↑ "2012 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates" (PDF). Philippine Statistics Authority. 31 May 2016.
  17. ↑ "Municipal and City Level Small Area Poverty Estimates; 2009, 2012 and 2015". Philippine Statistics Authority. 10 July 2019.
  18. ↑ "PSA Releases the 2018 Municipal and City Level Poverty Estimates". Philippine Statistics Authority. 15 December 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to New Washington, Aklan.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for New Washington.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.